Friday, March 15, 2024

RIP - Jim McAndrew

 
Jim McAndrew, a Mets' pitcher from 1968-73. passed away on March 14, 2024 at age 80. 
 
McAndrew was drafted by the Mets in 1965, out of the University of Iowa. He made his major-league debut in July 1968, starting all 12 of his games in his rookie season. 
 
He was the Mets' 5th starter for most of the next 6 seasons (except for spending much of 1971 in the bullpen). 
 
McAndrew retired after playing the 1974 season with the Padres. 
 
His son Jamie pitched for the Brewers in the mid-1990s.  
 
 
    

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

RIP - Bill Plummer

 
Bill Plummer, the Reds' backup catcher from 1972-77, passed away on March 12, 2024 at age 76. 
 
Plummer was signed by the Cardinals in 1965, then was selected by the Cubs in the Rule 5 draft after the 1967 season. Because of the rules, he remained on the Cubs' roster for all of 1968, but only saw action in 2 games. 
 
In January 1969 the Cubs traded him to the Reds for pitcher Ted Abernathy. Plummer got a few cups of coffee with the Reds in '70 and '71, then backed up Johnny Bench from 1972-77. 
 
After his release during Spring Training 1978, he was signed by the Mariners, and spent his final season as Bob Stinson's backup. 
 
Plummer retired after playing for the Mariners' AAA team in Spokane during the 1979 season. 
 
He coached for the Mariners during the 1980s, and managed the team in 1992.  
 
 

Friday, February 16, 2024

RIP - Don Gullett

 
Don Gullett, a starting pitcher for the Reds in the 1970s, passed away on February 14, 2024 at age 73.
 
Gullett was drafted by the Reds in the 1st round in 1969. After spending that season in low-A ball, he jumped all the way to the big club in April 1970, and appeared in 44 games (all but 2 in relief). 
 
He was a key member of the Big Red Machine's starting rotation from 1971-76, winning 15 or more games in 4 of those 6 seasons. His only losing season was 1972, when he posted a 9-10 record while battling hepatitis. 
 
Gullett surrendered Willie Mays' 660th and final home run. (He also surrendered Hank Aaron's 660th homer.) 
 
He became a free agent after the 1976 season, and signed with the Yankees. In 1977 he posted a 14-4 record, leading the AL in winning percentage. 
 
After just 8 games in 1978, a torn rotator cuff ended his career. He managed to avoid the sore-arm curse that afflicted several Reds' hurlers in the 1970s (like Gary Nolan and Wayne Simpson), only to be injured while a Yankee. 
 
Gullett appeared in 4 World Series with the Reds ('70, '72, '75, '76) and one with the Yankees ('77). He was 4-5 with 60 strikeouts in the post-season. 
 
After his playing career, he owned a tobacco farm in Kentucky. He had heart attacks in 1986 and 1990, yet returned to the Reds as their pitching coach from 1993-2005.  
 
 
  

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

RIP - Jim Hannan

 
Jim Hannan, a pitcher for the Senators during the 1960s, passed away on February 9, 2024 at age 84.
Hannan debuted in April 1962, and was with the team every season through 1970 (while making brief trips to the minors in '62, '63, '64, '67, and '68). He also played for the Tigers and Brewers in 1971. 
 
After his playing career, he founded the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.